Introduction to the Lamiaceae family

by Rob Peters

Lamiaceae, or
Lamiales, also known as the mint
family, is a family of flowering plants. The original family name is Labiatae,
so given because the flowers typically have petals fused into an upper lip and
a lower lip. Although this is still considered an acceptable alternative name,
most botanists now refer to Lamiaceae, a name we will stick to in this issue.

The following is additional information on the
Lamiaceae gathered by the Dutch Masi-group and by Jan Scholten.

Applications of
the Lamiaceae

The Lamiaceae belong to a large family and are found
growing over the entire planet. For their habitat, they prefer the open fields.
Because of their lovely smell and delicious taste many species of this family
are used in the kitchen to the great joy and satisfaction of the cook and the
gourmet. We are all acquainted with the merits of basil, oregano, thyme, and
rosemary as smell- and taste-enhancers in the various Mediterranean dishes. The
relief-bringing quality of thyme, as mucous dissolvent in a common cold, is
well known to most of us.

In Anthroposophical medicine, the warming qualities of
the Lamiaceae are praised and because of these qualities the ethereal oils are
used internally as well as externally; the ethereal oil of Rosemary, for
example, is used as additional therapy in diabetes. According to the
Anthroposophists the Lamiaceae have an incarnating effect on the psyche because
of their warming quality.

Chemistry

The Lamiaceae contain aromatic carbohydrates in the
form of phenols, which have an antiseptic as well as an aromatic action. With
the aid of the Terpenes, which the plants contain, they protect themselves
against insects, fungi, and bacteria. Other constituents are: Phosphorus,
Vanadium, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Lithium, and Molybdenum. The themes of
these elements are well described by Jan Scholten in his books: ‘Homeopathy and
the Minerals’ and ’Homeopathy and the Elements’.

MAIN THEMES OF THE LAMIACEAE

Acknowledgement

The patients are full of emotions but cannot express
them adequately; they find it hard to put their feelings into words. They are
ambitious and have a great need of acknowledgement. When this need is distorted
and is a main issue in the case history, it becomes a theme. This theme,
together with the holding-on to and bottling-up of feelings, brings the
Lamiaceae into the picture. The lack of acknowledgement is felt in all kinds of
settings: at work, at home, in the family, and with friends, but most of all,
the lack is felt in relation to the father, who is often very authoritarian.

Patients who need a remedy from the Lamiaceae suffer
from the fact that they are not recognized for their own qualities by their
parents or partner. The lack of acknowledgement is very strong in the prototype
of the orphan (proving Wad-stories 2): no parents and thus no recognition of
his biological descent. All members of this family probably need acknowledgement
but each in their own specific way. The following presumptions need to be
confirmed in daily practice:

- Teucrium
wants to be acknowledged in his work.

- Oreganum
tries to find acknowledgment/gratification in the sexual field.

- For Ocimum
basilica, the field of acknowledgment lies in the religious sector.

- The tender
point of Collinsonia is the pregnancy. She does not recognize her own
pregnancy!!

- Patients
who need Melissa officinalis feel powerless when not acknowledged and become

angry.

- Ocimum
sanctum patients are afraid of accidents (dream of accidents) and try to find acknowledgement
in managing or joining a first- aid-group.

We can see that these patients look for gratification
of their deep need for acknowledgement from those around them.

Ambition

To get recognition the Lamiaceae throw themselves with
much ambition into their work (Potassium) and try to make a good impression
(Calcium). They do their best but that is never good enough.

Massimo Mangialavori has added the following Lamiaceae
to the rubric ‘Ambition’: Mentha piperita, Oreganum, Thyme, and Scuttelaria.

In the Lamiaceae’s context, ambition has the
connotation of: “It is my duty to do my best.” We also find this theme in the
iron-group: Kalium, Vanadium, Ferrum, Manganum, Cuprum and Chromium which, like
Phosporus, are important constituents of the Lamiaceae.

Bottling-up

Despite being talkative, Lamiaceae express themselves
insufficiently and do not show their vulnerability or express their true
feelings. The cause of this situation can often be found in their youth:
parents who do not show their own feelings, who do not tell the truth, etc.

Really very interesting especially to know its theme according to the chemical constituents e.g. the iron group themes present in it (“It is my duty to do my best.)”, etc. but also a deep need of acknowledgement of it by others.... this all I was not knowing before.

Posts: 3

Lamiaceae dataReply #2 on : Wed March 30, 2011, 20:09:36

Thanks - I have found the remedy names in the article. Don't know about the provings though.The article mentions data as having been gathered, but doesn't say whether it is from provings.

Posts: 3

Lamiaceae dataReply #1 on : Fri March 04, 2011, 20:52:44

An interesting article. As I'm unfamiliar with the remedies in this group, do you have their full names as the shorthand in the rubrics don't help. Also are there there provings of these? (not meditative or other esoteric methods)